Scattered light rain showers moved across the eastern Hill Country and most of Central Texas Saturday. However, most rain totals were under a quarter of an inch. Heavier rains and scattered thunderstorms moved across the middle and upper Texas coast Saturday into Saturday night. Here, totals generally ranged between 0.25 and 1 inch. LCRA’s highest gauge total occurred at Lane City, in southeastern Wharton County, with a weekend total of 1.77 inches.
A Canadian cold front moved across the region Sunday, bringing a blast of cooler air that has continued into Monday. In the wake of Sunday’s cold front, Monday’s weather maps showed a large dome of Canadian high pressure covering the central and southern U.S. The high pressure dome is forecast to remain over our region through Tuesday, keeping temperatures somewhat cool. But the high is expected to shift Wednesday, and this will bring a return of warmer temperatures for the second half of the week.
For this afternoon and tonight, a partly to mostly cloudy sky will be in place as a large area of middle and high-level clouds spread across Texas out of northern Mexico. Afternoon temperatures are predicted to peak in the mid and upper 50s. Temperatures Monday night will likely be the coldest of the week, with lows Tuesday morning ranging from around 30-32 degrees across the Hill Country to the upper 30s across the coastal plains. Expect breezy northerly winds at 10-15 mph through late afternoon. Winds speeds should decrease to 5-10 mph this evening and overnight.
Tuesday’s weather will feature a cloudy to mostly cloudy sky. The eastern Hill Country, Central Texas and coastal regions may see some spotty light rain showers mainly in the afternoon and evening as a small trough of low pressure tracks to the east out of northern Mexico. Limited moisture will keep the probability for rain at 20 percent and totals should average only a few hundredths of an inch. Tuesday’s high temperature will range from the low 50s west, to the upper 50s near the coast. Lows Wednesday morning will be mostly in the upper 30s to mid-40s.
A stable ridge of high pressure setting up across northern Mexico and the Southwestern U.S. late week and through the weekend is expected to cause a mostly sunny and dry weather pattern across Central and South Texas. Temperatures will trend warmer Wednesday through Friday with the return of southerly breezes. High temperatures Wednesday are forecast to be in the mid-60s. Highs look to warm to the low 70s Thursday and the mid-70s Friday. Lows Thursday and Friday mornings will range from the low 40s west to the upper 40s towards the coast.
Forecasts call for a Canadian cold front to push through our area late Friday night into early Saturday morning. No rain is expected with the cold front. Mostly sunny and cooler weather is forecast behind the cold front Saturday and Sunday. High temperatures both days are predicted to be in the mid-50s. A light freeze will be possible across parts of the area Sunday morning. Lows Sunday will include the upper 20s Hill Country, the low and mid-30s Central Texas and the upper 30s coastal region. Lows Monday morning will range from the low 30s west, to the low 40s near the coast.
Looking out into next week, mostly sunny and dry weather is forecast Monday through Wednesday. Expect daily high temperatures in the 60s to around 70 degrees, with lows mostly in the 40s. Forecasts do call for a chance for rain developing next Thursday and Friday when a trough of low pressure tracks across Texas out of the Desert Southwest. No significant temperature change is forecast. Highs should remain in the 60s, with lows in the 40s.
Long-range forecasts call for a pattern that will feature cool temperatures over the next 2-3 weeks. However, there are no signs of an arctic outbreak through this period.
Opportunities to See the International Space Station this Week
There will be numerous opportunities to see the ISS fly over Central Texas this week. Tuesday and Wednesday, the ISS will be visible 1-2 hours before sunrise. Beginning Wednesday and continuing through the weekend, viewing opportunities will shift to the evening sky, about 1-2 hours after sunset. Next Sunday evening’s pass looks especially good, with the ISS forecast to pass nearly directly overhead of Central Texas.
You can find out ISS viewing information for your specific area through NASA’s Spot the Station website, https://spotthestation.nasa.gov
Have a good week.
Bob
Social Media